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ENGLISH SPARROW CONTROL1By E. R. KALMBACH, Senior Biologist, Division of Food Habits ResearchBureau of Biological SurveyECENT STUDIES of the food habits and economic status of theEnglish sparrow under present-day conditions show that theadult birds are essentially vegetarian, more than 96 per cent of theirannual food being obtained front mixed feed, grain of various kinds,weed seeds, and products of the garden. The nestlings subsist to alarge extent on insects, but such beneficial work lasts for only a briefspan of 10 or 12 days, after which the young become quite as vegetarianas the adults. Consequently, where English sparrows becomeoverabundant there often is a demand and need for local control.This leaflet sets forth economical and effective means foraccomplishing this.A little attention given to measures of prevention may often savemuch that otherwise might have to be spent on control later.Sparrow abundance usually may be attributed to definite causes.Careless methods of poultry feeding or grain handling may give thebirds a lavish food supply. Crevices about buildings may serve asinviting nesting sites, and barn cupolas or vine-covered sides ofhouses or other structures may provide safe shelters during thewinter. The elimination or decrease of any of these facilities, oftenin itself an improvement in farm practice and equipment, is bound tohave its effect on the sparrow population. Certainly complete successin control operations against sparrows can not be expectedunless at the same time an effort is made to remove the conditionsthat attract the birds.A local sparrow population often may be reduced or even eliminatedby destroying the nests and eggs at intervals of 10 or 12days throughout the breeding season. Such measuresDestroying are well suited to antisparrow campaigns in reNests stricted neighborhoods or in small towns, where aspirit of community interest aids. A pole, armed atthe end with an iron hook, is a handy tool for dislodging nestssituated beneath eaves, on rafters, or on tracks for hayforks inbarns, and about water tanks or trees.Bird houses of a size suitable for English sparrows may be erectedat convenient locations and visited regularly to destroy the nests andeggs of the undesirable tenants. Such boxes should be constructedwith a removable top or front so as to permit ready access to theinterior. It is important that those engaged in such measures ofsparrow control be qualified to distinguish the nests and eggs ofEnglish sparrows from those of beneficial native species, such as bluebirdsand wrens, which often occupy similar sites and which are protectedby law throughout the United States. It is also incumbentupon operators of the automatic traps hereafter described to visitthem at least once a day to release any beneficial species that may beaccidentally captured.This leaflet supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 493, The English Sparrow as a Pest, by NedDearborn, published in 1912 and revised in 1917.50544 -312